Don’t you love it when you discover amazing places on your doorstep? We came across the wonderful Whitmoor and Rickford Commons, managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust, last year and were thrilled. With around 400 acres to explore, it’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest and with paths that lead to heathland and wetlands. It was a bright sunny day when we visited for the first time in autumn and while it was misty this time around, the commons were just as beautiful.
As a family, we relish being in the great outdoors even in the winter months when there’s a bit of a nip in the air. Taking time out to blow away the cobwebs, even if it’s for a couple of hours, always does us the world of good. Whitmoor and Rickford Commons is one of those places that can be visited any time of year and there are a wealth of paths to follow.
On this particular day, it was even more peaceful than usual although it was decidedly chilly. As we headed further into the woods, we could see the mist above the bracken with dewdrops dangling from gorse, leaves and spider webs. A setting certainly ripe for family adventures in a wonderful setting we largely had to ourselves. You can’t beat that really can you when the noise is just yourselves and the sound of the birds.
Amid playing hide and seek, stick fighting and collecting “treasures”, the scenery around us was just beautiful. The mist and the cobwebs making this common almost movie-like. Don’t get me wrong it was particularly cold that day but we were so glad we made the effort to get outdoors.
Whitmoor and Rickford Commons are one of Surrey’s most precious habitats with pine, birch and oak woodland and ponds which we must check out on our next visit. Located on the outskirts of Guildford in Surrey, it seems like the perfect place to do some butterfly and dragonfly spotting in the summer months. We cannot wait.
